Save Money by Fixing Your Own Bathroom and Sink

In my hub "How to Save Money by Fixing Your Own House", I introduced the basic tools that every do-it-yourselfer should have.  Adding the tools below in your toolbox will be a great help if a minor problem arises with the water system of your house. 

1.) Pipe wrench - a tool having two toothed jaws, one fixed and the other free to grip pipes and other tubular objects when the tool is turned in one direction only.

2.) Groove joint pliers – a tool having jaws open to work pipes of different sizes and its unique head shape allows for more torque than regular pliers do.

3.) Basin wrench – a tool that makes short work of nuts beneath the sink.  The basin wrench is necessary when the area in which the nut is located is too tight to allow the use of pliers.

4.) Pipe cleaning tool - This tool is a miniature chimney sweeping brush run through the pipe to scrub the deposits from the pipe’s inner wall.

5.) Pipe cutter – a tool used for cutting pipe. Simply insert the pipe or tubing in the opening and slowly turn the knob to engage the cutter as you rotate around the work piece.  You will get a clean cut with limited crimping or bending.  The tool is often a faster and more convenient way of cutting pipe than using a hacksaw.

6.) Pipe reamer - any bladelike pick or rod used for scraping, shaping, or enlarging a hole.  A pipe reamer can get rid of the residue in the pipe.

7.) Teflon tape – is a thin white tape silky in texture and breaks in a stringy manner used to seal pipe threads being joined together for plumbing purposes.  It is used to seal water, air, gas from leaking through threaded connections.  Technically known as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

8.) Rubber disks – these are placed under a nut to prevent leaks.  Buy an assortment of rubber disks that fit different faucets, there are countless rubber disks available out there. 

9.) Faucet washers – faucet washer is located on the lower end of the stem of the faucet and held in place by a brass screw.

10.) O-ring kit – this is another kit that is important to have around for any plumbing job.

When there is a leak in your sink or bathroom like in the faucet, the problem could just be a loose nut-bolt. This is where you can use the adjustable wrench; this tool tightens any loose nut-bolts.

If you need to change the faucet washer because the washer is already squeezed flat or has a groove worn in it, replace it; just choose from the kit its exact size. However if you really want to change the whole faucet, use the adjustable wrench to loosen the faucet. Turn counter clockwise to loosen the faucet, replace it with a new one. Then turn clockwise to tighten it.

Tightening a pipe can be done using a pipe wrench. The pipe wrench can place a lot of pressure on the pipe without changing the pipe's shape. Without this tool, you could end up damaging the pipe and creating an even bigger problem.

If you need to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts under a sink, you know how difficult it can be. This is where you can use the basin wrench, it makes it easier to loosen and tighten nuts and bolts because of its convenient shape.

For pipe clog ups because of residues, you can use the pipe reamer or the pipe-cleaning tool.

By acquiring these plumbing tools, you will be well on your way to handling most minor plumbing problems that arise. However, you should still know when to call a professional plumber especially when you think the problem in your water system is a major one. Do not take on projects that can cause even more of a potential problem.